Author: Anne

My Most Wanted Japanese 3DS Titles

All this talk about Japanese 3DS’s has gotten me thinking about Japanese 3DS games. As we all know, Nintendo decided to break the hearts of millions of fans around the globe by making the 3DS region-locked, meaning the system can only play games from the same “region.” Since the major regions are, as always, PAL (Europe and Australia), NTSC-J (Japan), and NTSC-U or C (North America and pretty much everywhere else, usually includes China), that means there are many Japanese games that are going unplayed by this NTSC-U 3DS-owning gal.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that there aren’t really that many Japanese 3DS games I’m itching to have. But as someone who may or may not find themselves in possession of a Japanese 3DS in the near future, I began to wonder what I’d theoretically buy if the situation presented itself. So, without further ado: my most wanted Japanese 3DS titles!

New Love Plus

A male-oriented dating sim on my list of most wanted 3DS games?!  Yeah, I know, you probably think I’ve gone crazy. But when did I ever say I had anything against bishojo dating sims? Sure, I’d much prefer an otome game full of male characters to pursue, but I like the genre enough to want to pick up New Love Plus, even though it wasn’t exactly made with me in mind. I wouldn’t say this is at the very top of my list, but it’s definitely a unique experience that can’t be had anywhere else. That, and I never did play the original! I’d probably play this one in the name of “research.”

Taiko Drum Master: The Little Dragon and the Mysterious Orb

Ah, Taiko Drum Master. My mom bought me a Japanese PlayStation 2 for Christmas one year, along with a copy of the original Taiko Drum Master and two taiko controllers… I have many a fine memory sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, banging two plastic taiko sticks to some semblance of a beat.

Well, handheld Taiko Drum Master titles may not have the same charm as their arcade, or even home console, counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they don’t pack a punch! Reliable sources tell me the DS versions were quite good, and that this new 3DS installment, with a new story mode, does not disappoint. Of course my saying “reliable sources” reveals that, yes, I have never played a handheld Taiko Drum Master game. That’s definitely something I’d like to rectify!

Nazo Waku Yakata: Oto no Ma ni Ma ni

Does anyone even remember this game? If you do, it’s probably because of the flack Capcom got for releasing a paid demo for the title on the Japanese eShop. But even though Nazo Waku Yakata came out a whole year ago, I can barely find a peep about it anywhere. I’m assuming this means it was pretty lackluster, but the game’s emphasis on sound, unique art style, and whacky gameplay that makes use of a wide variety of the 3DS’s features make it seem like a great choice for someone with a new Japanese 3DS. I wonder if it’s worth the 20 or so dollars used copies are going for on Amazon.jp these days? I’m going to answer my own question: since the above image is actually an in-game screenshot, I’d have to say “yes”!

Rune Factory 4

I think I can safely say that Rune Factory 4 is my most-wanted 3DS title. Of course, we’ve seen every other Rune Factory game come out in English so far, but Natsume has yet to utter a peep about the possibility of localizing Rune Factory 4. I’ve made it pretty clear in previous posts that the male suitors and Harvest Moon-esque elements in this installment really appeal to me –– so much so that I’d purchase this game in a heartbeat if I had a Japanese 3DS, even with the possibility of a future English release. Is that a guy with cat ears and a peacock-feather fan? I’m so there.

So, what Japanese 3DS games are you itching to add to your collection? I bet you’re all going to say Bravely Default: Flying Fairy –– I would’ve, too, but I thought I’d shake things up by limiting myself to  only titles that are out right now. Hurrah for self-imposed, nonsensical rules!

Japan Envy: Pikachu Yellow 3DS LL/XL

Guess what? Japan’s getting yet another amazing limited edition console, and this time it’s a Pikachu-themed 3DS LL (or XL for us westerners). I’m fully ready to admit that this is the most beautiful handheld I have ever seen. I want it with every fiber of my being. Okay, that’s a little creepy, but I definitely like it more than the last exclusive Japanese 3DS I gushed over (this Kingdom Hearts one).

This brilliant 3DS LL, titled “Pikachu Yellow,” will only be available for preorder at Japanese Pokémon Centers from August 25th to September 14th for 18,900 yen, strictly limited to one console per customer. Believe me, if I lived in Japan, I would literally line up outside my local Pokémon Center for this, if need be!

Pikachu’s pleading eyes bore right into my very soul.
Funnily enough, I’ve actually been warming up to the 3DS XL as of late, not in part due to shidoshi’s rave comments regarding his first-hand experience with one on our latest Nichiest Podcast Ever. This bright yellow with the white hinge definitely takes the cake –– I only wish that they showed the inside, which I’m assuming is white. If it’s actually yellow… Well, that would be quite jarring to look at, wouldn’t it? 
So what do you think: is the Pikachu Yellow LL the handheld of the century or an unbelievably garish monstrosity? I think you know where I stand! 

Dissecting Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary Ultimania File 3: Battle

Every once in a while, Shaun and I stumble upon a really good find here in Brisbane. First it was the talking Pikachu and Rilakkuma plush keychain at the local vintage shop, then it was the Japanese Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town strategy guide from the used bookstore in the city. Now, I dare say we’ve uncovered the crown jewel of awesome game-related discoveries: the Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary Ultimania File 3: Battle. Where did we find this rare tome, you ask? In the discount bin of our local comic book store for only $25! To get an idea of what a steal this is, $25 is pretty much on par with what you’d pay for this beast if you bought it from a bookstore in Japan… yet it was originally listed here at a whopping $70!

Now, the Final Fantasy Ultimania series is basically a bunch of glorified guide books for, you guessed it, the Final Fantasy games. They don’t generally contain step-by-step walkthroughs of the game, but instead act as a catalog for everything from weaponry to enemies, with in-depth character profiles and exclusive developer interviews containing all sorts of nuggets of information about the world of Final Fantasy.

The 20th Anniversary trilogy of books was released in 2008 (on that note, it’s kind of scary to think that Square Enix is celebrating Final Fantasy‘s 25th anniversary this year), each book focusing on a separate facet of the Final Fantasy world –– one for characters, one for battle-related information, and one for scenario, or the game’s story/world. As you can see, this particular volume is of the battle persuasion, meaning it catalogues everything pertaining to Final Fantasy battles from Final Fantasy I all the way up to Final Fantasy XII (including X-2!).

I have to say, I never thought I would be compelled to pick up a Final Fantasy Ultimania, but flipping through 20th Anniversary Ultimania File 3: Battle is a real joy. There’s everything from character stats and enemy information to summon lists and all sorts of neat comparison charts for all the different Final Fantasy games… I think anyone who’s a fan of a series will soon see what I mean!

Character profiles certainly aren’t as in-depth as they would be in the character volume, but the short descriptions featuring Amano or Nomura’s art, along with sprites and alternate versions, if available, is a nice touch.

I’m glad they didn’t actually localize his name as “Balflear”
All of the different job sprites from Final Fantasy V
I’m really happy they included Final Fantasy X-2. The dress spheres were
something else! 
And, of course, there are pages and pages of enemies in each game’s bestiary! I love the comparison images from Final Fantasy IV. 
Shaun has played Final Fantasy VII at least seven times,
but he says he’s never seen this enemy! Hard to believe,
isn’t it? 
A fun comparison page detailing a variety of common enemies in the
Final Fantasy series. 
One of my favorite aspects of this book are the comparison charts –– here we are treated to three different Bomb designs, along with alternate names (Grenade, Balloon). Did you know that the only Final Fantasy that didn’t feature Bombs was Final Fantasy I? I didn’t!
More monster comparisons! This time we’re treated to the wide range of deadly optional bosses from the games. Can you name them all? 
Summons! Another one of my favorite sections. These are all from Final Fantasy VII. I love that Moogles and Moombas even get their own summons. Final Fantasy definitely needs more Moombas. 

All sorts of interviews are scattered throughout the book. I can’t wait to
read them!
And there you have it! This may in fact be the best $25 Shaun and I have ever spent. Well, maybe not quite, but it’s still a very exciting purchase. I have a feeling we’ll be flipping through File 3: Battle for years to come. 
If you have anything in particular you’d like to see from this book, feel free to let me know in the comments and I’ll do a second round up of pictures for my next post! 

Japan Envy: Pizza Delivery Chain Tie-in Merchandise

Here’s another thing about Japan that will stump me for all eternity: American pizza chains are actually cooler over there than they are in their home country! Sure, some may argue that squid ink pizza doesn’t sound all that appetizing, but this time I’m not talking about the pizza itself, but rather all the awesome freebie tie-in merchandise American chains like Pizza Hut and Domino’s get in the land of the rising sun.

First of all, here’s what spurred me to write this post in the first place: Pizza Hut is currently having a campaign until October 21st where if you buy a kid’s crispy pizza, you get a Rilakkuma bowl for free:

200 lucky customers will get their pizza in that adorable box!

For the curious, the pizza contains the following ingredients: sausage, sliced potato, corn, parsley, mayonnaise, and tomato sauce. As it’s a kid’s size, it’s only 15 cm big, but is priced pretty reasonably at 500 yen (about $6.40). More importantly (why would anyone order Pizza Hut for the food?), here’s the bowl that comes free with every purchase:

official site

Unlike a lot of these campaigns, obtaining the bowl isn’t a matter of buying x amount of kid’s pizzas to collect stamps or points, but you’ll actually get a bowl with your very first order. If you’re a sucker like me who’d want to have both bowls, it’d still only set you back about $13 –– a pretty good deal for two little pizzas and two adorable bowls, if you ask me!

Though it pains me that I can’t partake in this awesome campaign, I think this is a fine occasion to share my own pizza delivery tie-in merchandise experience. And what better franchise to feature a tie-in than with Pokémon?!

This Pokémon x Domino’s Pizza campaign was going on back when I was in Japan in 2009, and my host mother was sweet enough to order me one! And it came with not one, but two awesome freebies:

Plastic tote bag – front
Plastic tote bag – back (note the Domino’s logo and the Arceus;
this promotion coincided with the release of the film Arceus
and the Jewel of Life
An adorable pouch! I use it to carry my camera 
Close-up of pouch detail

Oh, I have no doubt moving back to Japan would make me go broke… from buying so many pizzas for their adorable freebies!

Corpse Party: 2U Demo Impressions

Or “I literally couldn’t fit the whole name of the game in the header.” Excuse me if I continue to shorten Corpse Party The Anthology: Sachiko’s Game of Love – Hysteric Birthday 2U to Corpse Party: 2U, as any other alternative is just far too long.

Now that that’s out of the way… Some of you may remember that I was quite enamored with Corpse Party when XSEED Games released it in English last October. Japan is quite fond of the series, as well –– it’s spanned a manga series, as well as a direct sequel titled Corpse Party: A Book of Shadows, which is currently only available in Japan (c’mon, XSEED!) and, well… Corpse Party: 2U. 
“That’s right, a romantic comedy. High school romantic comedies are really
popular right now, right?”
Since Corpse Party: 2U is a spin-off of the main series, some knowledge of the original source material helps, but is not necessary. Instead of following in the footsteps of its two predecessors, 2U features next to no horror elements, throwing away the scares in exchange for over-the-top fan service and harem anime-style antics. The basic premise as introduced by the portion of chapter one included in the demo is that Sachiko, the namesake of the charm that causes students to be transported to the hellish alternate dimension that is Heavenly Host Elementary, wants to do a romantic comedy with the students trapped in the school. Thus, this game is firmly rooted in light-hearted comedy, though series fans will notice some morbid undertones and references to things less than pleasant. There’s even a flashback to a certain character’s iconic death from the original Corpse Party!
I have to say I’m more interested in the gruesome death scenes than I am
in seeing teenage anime girl cleavage. 
The main problem I have with Corpse Party: 2U largely stems from the discussion I had on fan service the other day. Though there are elements of female fan service in the original Corpse Party, it largely fit  with the disturbing themes (even then, there were a number of misplaced panty shots that really missed the mark, in my opinion). Though this may have not been the intention of the creators, I felt some of the fan service elements, particularly in the scenes involving the game’s youngest female character, actually enhanced the horrific nature of the game. Put all the characters in a comedic situation, however, and the fan service just becomes over-the-top. 
Yes, this is an actual scene in the game. No, it was not in the demo.
I’ll admit, I was not able to finish the Corpse Party 2U demo. It was just too slow starting (there was nearly 20 minutes of the characters arguing about who should be the protagonist of Sachiko’s proposed romantic comedy), and I did not find it humorous in any way. At one point, Sachiko offers to let the students see if they can try and survive the halls of the school in order to gain freedom for themselves and a comrade of their choice, which does allow the story to advance slightly, but overall there was just a lot of uninspired chatter between cutsey female characters that will only appeal to an extremely limited audience. 
This is around the time I really started wondering why I kept playing…
Though I wasn’t really planning on picking up Corpse Party 2U, the demo has cemented my decision not to do so. The series is at its best when it remains firmly within the horror genre –– putting familiar characters in a harem-like setting may appeal to a limited range of fans, but it certainly doesn’t appeal to me. I’m sad to see this series delve into fan-fodder territory, and I hope they return to their horror roots for future installments. 

Japan Envy: Totoro Cream Puffs

Japan has the art of cute edibles down to a tee, if you ask me. Not only do they have everything from Dragon Quest to Sailor Moon-themed cafés, but there’s an edible version of practically ever Japanese character you can think of! Case in point:

Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory! They specialize in none other than Totoro cream puffs. They’re almost too cute to eat!

I love how the one on the left is looking upwards!

The different things on their heads represent what flavor’s inside, too. The regular green leaf is the straight-up vanilla cream custard, while the brown leaf indicates a seasonal chestnut flavor available from October through December. In addition, there’s strawberry cream (pink flower), peach cream (hat with a pink ribbon), and chocolate cream (hat with a blue ribbon). They’ve even got a special Christmas Totoro:

I think I need to make a special trip just to eat these. I mean, even the storefront and map found on the website oozes charm (the shop’s location is indicated by a white Totoro!):

Definitely make sure to stop here if you’re in Tokyo!
That’s it! Time to plan my next trip to Japan.

801 Day: A Celebration of Yaoi

These days, there’s a holiday for just about anything, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that there is a dedicated yaoi day. Yaoi, or boys’ love, is also written as 801, hence August 1st, or 8/01, being the obvious date for an international holiday celebrating the love between men as drawn by women. Why 801? In Japanese, the shortened pronunciation of the word for 8 is “ya,” while 0 can be read as “o” (how’s that for a western influence?), and 1 as “i.” Ta-da!

I’ve written a post on boys’ love visual novels before, but since today I’m going to be discussing the manga variety, I thought it’d be worthwhile to go through the terms “yaoi” and “boys’ love,” since I know a lot of my readers aren’t really that familiar with the manga side of things.

Yaoi originated as a term that was largely used to describe dōjinshi, or fan comics that usually parody existing works by “slashing” male characters and depicting them in loving, often explicitly sexual, relationships. When officially-published works started making their way over to the US and other countries, publishers and fans latched on to the term “yaoi” and began to use it to describe any manga that was drawn by a woman for a female audience and depicted male-male relationships.

Boys’ Love, on the other hand, sprouted up in Japan in the late 90s, I believe, and quickly came to be used to describe the genre as a whole. Often abbreviated as BL, it refers to all officially-licensed works that are written by women for women and deal with male homosexual relationships. Since BL has expanded from manga to other forms of media in recent years, this term can be used to describe anything from anime to video games, as well. Even so, yaoi still remains the predominant term to describe the genre outside of Japan.

The first boys’ love manga I ever purchased! Notice how
it’s labeled as a “yaoi series.” (published by Digital Manga
Publishing in 2002)

I’m sure you’re all wondering why I feel the need to be a party pooper and give a lesson in semantics when I could be posting gay porn, right? (or maybe not…) Well, I figured I’d actually take this opportunity to make it official: I’m doing a PhD on this very topic! Yes, if all goes well, in 3 years, you can all call me Dr. Anne Lee, boys’ love specialist.

I first realized the study of boys’ love (and other manga, by extension) was an actual legitimate academic pursuit when I took a course titled “Homosexualities in Asian Literature and Film” in my freshman year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I’d been interested in continuing my Japanese studies to the graduate level since high school (what can I say, I’m a book worm), but the thought of extending a hobby of mine into the academic sphere seemed unthinkable. Little did I know manga studies is its own area of research, and that there was even a manga studies degree being offered at a university in Japan! Boys’ love studies, too, has been growing in popularity in recent years, with scholars looking at everything from why women like to read narratives that appear to exclude them to how boys’ love acts as a feminist forum!

So on this 801 Day, I wanted to take a little time to reflect on how far I’ve come, and encourage everyone out there who’s ever though their interest was too weird or niche not to give up hope. It may sound a little cheesy, but it’s true! I’m just at the start of my degree, and it’s a whole lot of work, but it’s all worth it. Plus, I get to buy all sorts of awesome books in the name of research!

A sampling of the books on my desk right now.
Death is a  collection of short stories by Banana Yoshimoto,
and the top two manga volumes are actually Antique Bakery
by Fumi Yoshinaga

So thank you, 801! Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today! Yaoi banzai!

And a big thanks to @ladyriven for whipping up such an awesome banner!